Who We Are
African Women in Space is a not-for-profit foundation advancing women's leadership across Africa's space and geospatial sector.
African Women in Space Conference 2027
Built for the pipeline into leadership
AWIS is a Kenya-registered not-for-profit foundation (Companies Act 2015) advancing women's leadership in Africa's space and geospatial sector.
We work across the full value chain, from upstream satellite manufacturing, launch and ground infrastructure to downstream Earth observation, geospatial analytics and data services, to make sure the women entering this industry don't just stay in it, but lead it.
An Africa where women lead, innovate and shape the future of the global space and geospatial sector.
To inspire, prepare and accelerate African women into leadership, entrepreneurship and decision-making across the space and geospatial ecosystem through education, capacity development, partnerships, innovation and advocacy.
Build a sustainable pipeline of African women participating in and leading the space and geospatial sector, from education through professional advancement, entrepreneurship and continental leadership.
The gap between talent and leadership
Africa's space economy is one of the fastest-growing in the world, and women are among the most qualified anywhere to lead it, yet a widening gap separates that talent pipeline from leadership, funding and decision-making. The pattern holds across the value chain, from upstream manufacturing, launch and ground infrastructure to downstream Earth observation, geospatial analytics and data services: women enter in strong numbers, then disappear from decision-making, funding and technical leadership roles. AWIS closes the pipeline-into-leadership gap, not the pipeline-into-the-sector gap.
Our core values
A continental ecosystem, not a single office
AWIS operates through a Foundation, National Chapters and University Chapters, each with a distinct role in building the pipeline into leadership.
AWIS Foundation
Fellowships, the entrepreneurship accelerator, the AWIS Awards, research and policy, and continental leadership and partnerships.
National Chapters
Implement AWIS programmes locally: school outreach, university chapters, career talks, national networking, and country-specific mentorship and partnerships.
University Chapters
Sit under national chapters and are run by a Chapter President, VP/Program Lead, Secretary and Outreach Team Lead.
Women in Space Kenya (WiSK)
School outreach, university chapters, career talks, national networking, Kenya-specific mentorship and partnerships.
Become a Women in Space Kenya member
Mentorship, networks and visibility to launch a strong career foundation. Every tier includes a digital badge and membership card, plus discounts on paid WiSK events and training.
Student Explorer
KES 2,000 / year
For individuals taking their first steps into the geo, space and data world - mentorship, networks and visibility to launch a strong career foundation.
- One-on-one mentorship (priority)
- Opportunity alerts
- Outreach volunteer portfolio
- Industry workshops access
- WiSK recommendation letter
- Peer networking & community
- Professional spotlight feature
- Discounts on paid events and training
- Digital badge and membership card
Young Professional
KES 5,000 / year
For professionals keen to actively build their careers — real projects, workshops, industry events and the right people to accelerate your growth.
- Everything in Student Explorer, plus:
- Project & career mentorship
- Career placement priority alerts
- Industry networking sessions
- Professional development workshops
- Selected leadership opportunities
- CV / LinkedIn / career clinics
- Digital badge and membership card
Advanced Professional
KES 7,500 / year
For seasoned professionals ready to lead — executive circles, speaking platforms and global stakeholder networks where influence is built.
- Consultancy talent directory
- Regional conference representation
- Opportunities to speak at WiSK events
- Professional spotlight feature
- Corporate branding kit
- Executive "High Tea" network events
- Thought leadership & speaking
- Senior mentor matching
- Discounts on paid events and training